The Residential Energy Consumption Survey analyzes energy consumption for these eight purposes: air conditioning, clothes drying, lighting, cooking, water heating, space heating, hot tubs, and swimming pools. There is no doubt that electricity demand is increasing rapidly. On average, residents consume 867 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity a month. However, this amount can fluctuate greatly as...
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How to Avoid Energy Vampires and Save Money
There is a concept known as vampire energy, where electricity is wasted when plugged in items are still operating even when off. You may find that your appliances and/or devices are never truly off, regardless of their status. In order to reduce your energy bill, it is vital to eliminate energy vampires. This energy waste...
Don’t Let Your Power Bill Ruin Your Holiday
Christmas is nearly around the corner! With all these fun decorations, power bills aren’t very fun after the holidays have come and gone. Lighting bills around this time of year usually go up by about 10 percent – depending on how extravagant your lighting display is. How does one decorate and celebrate the holiday with full...
Eliminating Drafts Around Electrical Outlets
Wind drafts within a home can be more than just a nuisance. It is possible they are signs of air leaks, which can lead to reduced energy efficiency and higher monthly energy costs. Whether you’re feeling the chill or you’re tired of receiving high electricity bills, you should check your electrical outlets and switches for...
Is Your Outlet Sparking When Plugging in Something?
It’s not uncommon for an outlet to spark here and there, so you most likely have had it happen to you. Did you ever wonder why it may be happening and if there was a way to fix it? Causes of Outlets Sparking Electrical outlets in a home have become a crucial feature in the...
Getting to Know Your Breaker Panel
Every home should be equipped with a break panel, these panels are just one big switch that is filled with smaller switches, called breakers. These switches help with a variety of things. You should really only need access to the breaker panel for these three tasks: to reset a circuit breaker after it trips to...
Electrical Problems in the Summer & How to Keep a Lookout
Summer is officially only a couple of weeks away – long days, warm nights, and continuous enjoyment! Summer also brings in major heat waves throughout Texas and the best way to keep ourselves cool is by utilizing air conditioners. However, if you add in some humidity, this can cause several electrical problems this hot season...
Spring for These Energy Efficient Tasks
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), as of 2020, the average Texas household consumed 1,132 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month at a $0.1171 per kWh for a total average monthly electricity bill of $132.59. Of course, these bills differ by household, depending on their specific usage and equipment choices. Other factors, including the square...
Food Safety in The Event of a Power Outage
Whether it’s from a powerful storm or extreme heat, when your house goes dark and quiet, there are specific things you should do to prevent refrigerated and frozen food from spoiling. That is particularly essential should the power outage extend past four hours as this is the time that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):...
Spring Electrical Safety Checklist
According to the Almanac, the vernal or spring equinox falls on March 20 this year. The event occurs when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north, resulting in the world experiencing nearly equal hours of day and night. The equinox is also considered the astronomical start of spring, allowing Texans to enjoy one of...